The Powelton Club Shown above are a few photos of the golf course at the Powelton Club, an exclusive facility located just two miles from The Anchorage. The Powelton Club is a full service private country club. Among its many facilities are golf, tennis, swimming pools and full service restaurants.The Powelton Club is located in a historic nineteenth-century suburban area north of the city of Newburgh in Orange County, New York. Known as Balmville, this distinctive enclave of picturesquely styled residences is situated on the gentle slope of the Hudson River's western shore with a spectacular southerly view towards the Hudson Highlands. The Powelton Club is the physical and social centerpiece of this community. the rectangular, 100-acre property fronts east on Balmville Road, the original northerly route out of the city and principal axis for the suburb.The entrance to the club is made at the southern end of the property's frontage where five clay tennis courts are placed. The clubhouse faces Balmville Road, though set substantially back from it in the midst of the golf course. The property developed slowly and incrementally beginning with the site of the Powelton House, a rambling resort hotel that had burned in 1870, and gradually taking land from the surrounding Powelton Farms as the golf course was expanded. The Powelton Lawn Tennis Club of Newburgh, New York was formally organized on March 29,1882 by Homer Ramsdell, one of Newburgh's leading businessmen, and three of his associates. By the year's end membership stood at 160 with a female majority. In that same year, the United States Lawn Tennis Association was founded and the Powelton Club was among the 33 charter members. The fledgling club had two tennis courts, a windmill to water the courts, and a summerhouse to provide shelter for the guests. In April of 1892, The Powelton Club received its charter and seal of incorporation; subsequently, the board of directors signed a five-year lease with the Ramsdell estate. By provisions of the by- laws, the club would be governed by a board of eleven members elected at an annual meeting. The board would then elect the executive committee from its members. Following the incorporation, the board proposed a clubhouse to include a dance hall, bowling alley, and dressing rooms. Annual dues stood at ten dollars for men, five for ladies. Baseball, croquet, bicycling, and tennis became official activities of the club. Furthermore, Mrs.. Ramsdell's mother-in-law, Maude, designed a five-hole golf course on the property. In November of 1895, the first handicap tournament was held, only to end in a tie. Golf became so popular that a nine-hole course was created the following year. In 1899 the Powelton Club joined the Metropolitan Golf Association as one of its earliest members. Then in 1902 eight golf clubs in the area met to form the Hudson River Golf Association. By 1915, the club had become an active member of the United States Golf Association and the golf committee secured the services of George Merritt, "a prominent Golf Professional" for the month of May. From that time forward, golf professionals became the norm. During World War 1, the club was closed periodically. 100% of the proceeds of the tennis tournament in 1917 was sent to the Red Cross. Following the war, dues were increased to $75.for men and $50 for the ladies. The remainder of the Ramsdell property was purchased for $32,000 and in 1921, Devereaux Emmet was hired to design a new golf course. In May of 1926, the new eighteen-hole course was officially opened. At the same time, the tennis courts were reconfigured to the five they are now. Resurfacing was done using the brick dust from the Jova Brickworks. A part-time employee was needed to maintain the courts in playing condition. Children were an intregal part of the club and so it was decided to provide them (as well as the adults) with a state of the art swimming pool. A 30 by 80 foot pool was opened in the spring of 1929, funded by subscription and maintained by the sale of pool tickets. In November of that year, the membership woke to discover that the clubhouse had burned to the ground during the night. By August of 1930, the members were celebrating the inauguration of an impressive red brick building with all the modern conveniences. Designed by a nationally known local son, Francis Abreu, it was constructed by the Newburgh contractor, B. Maynard Higginson. During the next thirty years, The Powelton Club grew and matured, earning a reputation as an outstanding facility for golf, tennis, and social activities. On October 16,1960, the club celebrated a "Retirement from our Indebtedness". Naturally, new projects evolved, necessitating new indebtedness. Construction of Route I-84 mandated changes to the golf course. The watering system required improvements and the locker rooms had to be updated. The Powelton Club celebrated its centennial throughout the year of 1982. The many festivities of that year gave tribute to its rich and colorful history. And now, as we enter the new millennium, and the membership stands at over 500, the heritage of this club is very much in evidence. While Sunday afternoon teas are no longer, the all-white dress code for tennis is still in force. The clubhouse, recently redecorated, remains a proud testament to a very modern membership that has a keen sense of its legacy.   Orange & Ulster County Sales Office - (845) 565-1900 Dutchess County Sales Office - (914) 474-9999 Or Email us at: sales@nyestates.net      Main Office: 655 Fostertown Road, Newburgh, NY 12550 Mailing Address: 741 Hewitt Lane, New Windsor, NY 12553    This website is for information purposes only and nothing herein is intended as advice. 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